Chapter 33
Hearing what Jessica said, Brian was at a loss for words
For years, held thrown himself into work, leaving most of the parenting to Jessica Jacob was still a kid, and he just wanted to play. It was usually Madeline who kept him company at this time.
Brian had seen it more than once that Jacobs was tearful in front of Jessica, but as soon as Madeline showed up, he’d light up like nothing sappened
Jessica’s cold voice rang out again. “Unless it’s about the divorce, don’t call me again, Irian. That’s the only thing we have left to talk about
At Atkinson Manor, Brian stared at his phone long after the line went dead. He kept silent, his mind spinning.
“Mr. Atkinson, Jessi’s just in a fit of anger right now. She will calm down eventually, Madeline said gently.
She rested a hand on Jacob’s shoulder and heard most of their conversation on the phone,
From the way Jessica spoke, though, it didn’t sound like she was blutting. And after today’s thing, it looked like things between her and Jacob had hit rock bottom.
In Madeline’s mind, it wouldn’t be long before Jessica and Brian went through with the divorce.
But hearing her words, Jacob started crying again. “Mom is not coming back. She still hates me, right? Mommy hates me.”
He brushed past Madeline like she wasn’t even there and grabbed Brian’s shirt, sobbing like his heart would break.
Madeline tried to comfort Jacob. “Jake, stop crying like that, okay? You will hurt your throat. Jessi will come back once she cools off.”
Her priority now was to keep Jacob calm. She knew that kids forgot things fast. Maybe in a little while, he would forget Jessica,
Yet to her disappointment, that plan fell flat, Jacob wouldn’t even look her way. When she reached out to him, he even shoved her hand aside with a scowl.
Jacob cried, “Daddy, bring Mommy back. I want Mommy, “He even started to cough while crying.
Brian was touched by Jacob’s cry. His grip on the phone tightened, and he held back a wave of anger. Then, he turned to Madeline and said, “Madeline, you can go home now.”
“Huh?” Madeline blinked, unsure she heard right.
She thought, ‘Didn’t Jessica just say I’m the only one who can calm Jacob down? Why would Brian ask me to leave now?‘
But Madeline knew Brian well enough. Once he made a decision, he wouldn’t change his mind.
Madeline glanced at Jacob with concern flashing across her face. She then gave a reluctant nod and replied, “Got it, Mr. Atkinson. If Jake needs me,
I’ll come back later.”
Brian gave a barely–there nod, and Madeline left the room with clear reluctance. She’d thought this was her moment to win Brain. She figured that Jacob should’ve been clinging to her now, but things had gone completely sideways.
Once Madeline was gone, only Brian and Jacob were left in the room. Brian brought Jacob over to the bed and crouched down, so they were eye to
eye.
Brian said in a firm tone, “Jacob, you’ve been acting out these days. You even hurt the person who loves you most.”
Jacob’s lips started to tremble again, tears welling up in his eyes.
“No more crying.” Brian said, sharper this time.
Jacob kept his mouth tightly shut and struggled to hold back his tears, his body trembling with soft sobs.
Seeing his struggle, Brian softened just a little. “Haven’t we told you to use your words? Who told you it’s okay to throw tantrums and hit others?”
Jakob shook his head, his eyes glistening.
“If your ser lash out like that again, don’t blame me for getting rough,” Brian said through gritted teeth, recalling Jessica’s bleeding forehead. His expron was grim again.
Jacob’s whole body stiffened. He kept nodding and replied with sobs, “I won’t do it again, Daddy. I’ll be good. Please don’t be mad at me.”
11:15 AM
Chapter 33
Brian let out a long breath, his expression finally relaxing.
Jacob wiped at his eyes with his hand. “Daddy, I’m sleepy. When I wake up, I want Mommy to be here. I’ll say sorry to her. I won’t ever say I hate her again. I want Mommy to come home.”
五
